Bradesco is one of the banks adopting this practice. On social media, users report that when attempting to make a Pix transfer to a gambling site, they receive the following notification: "This Pix will be sent to a betting house. Bets do not guarantee financial returns, and the money can be completely lost. Take care of your financial health and look for safer options to make your money grow."
After this message, the bank allows the customer to proceed with the transaction, provided they click the button: "I understand the risk and want to continue." In a statement, Bradesco explains that the initiative is purely informational and does not impose restrictions on user transfers. "The goal is to provide tools that help customers manage their resources."
Nubank follows a similar approach. The fintech sends an alert message but does not block the payment. The notification states: "Consider before proceeding. Some of these games are legalized in Brazil, but they do not guarantee winnings. Are you sure you want to continue with the transfer?" The customer can either continue or cancel the transaction.
When asked about the measure, Nubank clarified that it is always looking for opportunities to improve the customer experience and frequently tests new products and solutions. "Any news or updates will be shared at the appropriate time," the company said.
Banco do Brasil has also been working to provide guidance on ‘Bets’ risks. Using analytical intelligence, the bank identifies customers who frequently send money to betting houses. For those at risk of financial harm, Banco do Brasil sends targeted communications, including personal finance guidance and specific articles from its blog on the topic.
"Banco do Brasil does not prevent transfers to ‘Bets’. The focus is on awareness and financial education, helping customers make more informed decisions about their money and avoid possible negative impacts on their financial stability," the bank states, emphasizing that similar actions are taken for other risk behaviors, such as excessive spending on overdrafts and credit cards.
Since July last year, banks are not only allowed but required to provide financial education initiatives to customers. This requirement came into effect with the implementation of Joint Resolution No. 8 by the Central Bank and the National Monetary Council (CMN).
Following the initiative to offer tools for safer financial decisions, Itaú provides a feature in its Superapp called Pix Alert, which flags transactions that show signs of fraud, scams, or unusual account activity. "This functionality applies to all recipients. Itaú does not have a specific alert for ‘Bets’ transactions," explains Adriano Volpini, the Bank’s Director of Corporate Security.
A different — and stricter — approach is taken by C6 Bank, which blocks the use of credit cards and overdrafts for betting transactions. "Aware of the over-indebtedness caused by gambling, C6 adopts a policy of blocking the use of credit cards and overdrafts for betting transactions," the bank states.
What the ‘Bets’ association says
The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) views banks' measures with concern, arguing that financial institutions' warnings could push bettors toward illegal gambling sites. "When banks take this approach without knowing the market or consulting us, they end up driving customers toward illegal platforms. If bettors struggle to access legal sites, they will immediately seek alternatives in unregulated betting houses, where the risks are much higher and the controls much weaker," says Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of ANJL.
The association suggests that bank alerts would be more effective if they emphasized the risks of using illegal betting sites and encouraged customers to verify a platform's legitimacy before placing bets. "Even so, we don’t believe this is the bank’s role. But if they want to impose this oversight, they should do it in a way that doesn’t interfere with regulation," Jorge asserts.
He adds that the ANJL has been in discussions with financial sector entities, such as the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban), aiming to collaborate with banks in tracking illegal ‘Bets’ activities.
Regarding financial education, the association states that it is working on responsible gambling courses to help users understand that ‘Bets’ should be treated as a form of entertainment rather than a "source of income."
Do alerts really help financial education?
Experts say that bank alerts have positive effects but are not enough to ensure users control their finances. Carlos Castro, coordinator of the Ambassadors Commission at Planejar, believes these notifications would be more effective if they included data on customers’ past spending and indicated how much of their budget has already been committed to betting.
The impact of alerts also varies depending on the customer’s profile. Ana Paula Hornos, a clinical psychologist and financial educator, explains that people with compulsive behavior tend to ignore such warnings. "Furthermore, even if financial institutions limit the credit available for betting, players may seek other sources of funding — legal or illegal — such as loans from family, friends, or loan sharks, which is already happening frequently," she warns.
While reminders create a psychological barrier before transactions are finalized, they may also be perceived as excessive control. "It’s similar to what happens when a rule or recommendation feels too paternalistic: some people comply, while others, feeling 'monitored,' end up rebelling. So yes, these notifications can have an ambiguous effect, depending on the level of financial awareness and the bettor’s willingness to reflect on their spending," warns Bruno Lessa Meireles, professor of Business Administration and Accounting at Universidade Brasil.
Hornos explains that this phenomenon is known as "reactance" (psychological reactance)—when a person feels their freedom is being threatened and reacts in the opposite way, increasing their gambling behavior. In her assessment, bank warnings tend to be more effective for occasional bettors than for those already caught in a cycle of addiction.
Precautions when betting
The first key point to remember is that ‘Bets’ are not investments but rather high-risk entertainment. Before betting, individuals should set a fixed amount to spend on gambling, separate from money allocated for essential expenses. "That way, if the player loses that amount, it won’t cause major damage to their budget," advises Meireles.
Using overdrafts or credit cards for betting is strongly discouraged, as any loss could turn into difficult-to-pay debt.
For Castro, there is no “safe limit” for betting, as the greatest risk is addiction. "This will vary from person to person. You can allocate a small percentage of your budget to betting, but there is no truly safe limit, because the real danger behind ‘Bets’ is addiction. Ideally, it’s best not to start betting at all," he warns.
If someone chooses to engage in gambling, monitoring emotional triggers is essential. "If gambling starts being driven by frustration, anxiety, or the need to recover losses, that’s a red flag. Ultimately, the most important precaution is ensuring that ‘Bets’ don’t control the gambler, but rather the other way around," concludes Hornos.
Source: Estadão
